DRAWN-OUT negotiations for a fresh collective bargaining agreement for players could be signed off by the end of the month, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan says.
The AFL Players' Association has campaigned for a set percentage of revenue in long-running talks with the League throughout this season.
The impasse has clouded player contract and trade discussions and, with the current CBA set to expire on November 1, McLachlan hoped a deal would be struck soon.
"Hopefully in the next three or four weeks. There's a bit of time for everyone now through the end of the season to focus," McLachlan said on Friday.
"They've been having ongoing discussions every couple of weeks and now we just need everyone to come with conviction to get the deal done.
"I'm not going to talk to specifics other than to say negotiations have been ongoing.
"There's good will in it, we want the players to get a fair deal and I'm sure we will get there."
In a wide-ranging interview, McLachlan also indicated the future of the pre-finals bye weekend was up for discussion with clubs.
However, the League chief thought the 'celebration of football' weekend "made for a pretty attractive finals series".
"Certainly the football was great, attendance was great, it was the highest-rating finals series in history, so it feels as though it built some momentum," McLachlan said.
"Whether there were other downsides, we'll find that out in the next couple of weeks as we talk to everyone."
Without the bye and the ability to regain key players from injury, the Western Bulldogs' historic run from seventh to win a fairytale premiership might never have happened.
Still basking in the glow of their flag triumph, the Dogs are set to reap a windfall off the field and could receive more Friday night clashes in 2017 – after receiving three of the marquee fixtures this season.
"They're certainly going to get their share of Friday nights. It feels there's such a change in that club," McLachlan said.
"What they can do strategically out in the west now, not only can they be a powerful club in the next couple of years, it really does feel like it might be an inflection point in the history of that club.
"They have the credibility now of being the premiers and it really feels like they might actually get a huge amount of momentum – not just for next season but for this football club for the long term."
Meanwhile, McLachlan all but ruled out extra premiership medals being struck for next year's Grand Final, after the emotion-charged gesture of Dogs coach Luke Beveridge giving his medallion to injured skipper Bob Murphy.
"Other sports do it differently. Where do you start and stop and how does that work is a challenge," he said.
"We've always just presented the 22 medals to the players plus a separate medal to the coach, the Jock McHale (Medal).
"I'm sure we'll have a look at it but I doubt we'll have a change for next year."
